Study finds sexual orientation can be changed through religious mediation

A new study has found that it is possible to change one's sexual orientation through religious mediation.

Study findings were first released last week in a book, "Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation."

The researchers, Stanton Jones of Wheaton College and Mark Yarhouse of Regent University, tracked men and women who had undergone a program of group discussions, counseling, journal writing, Scripture reading and prayer to change their gender orientation.

Focus on the Family has lent their support to the study’s findings, in which 67 percent of participants reported a change toward heterosexual orientation or ... successfully continuing to work towards that goal.

In a statement, Melissa Fryrear, director of Focus on the Family’s gender issues department, said study results are comparable with the success rates for dealing with "other difficult issues," such as depression.

"This study bolsters our position of advocating for people's right to self-determination," said. Fryrear, who previously self-identified as a homosexual.

“If someone has unwanted same-sex attraction, it is their right to seek alternatives to change," she said.